Authorities make arrest at Internet sweepstakes cafe in Spring Hill

SPRING HILL — A 56-year-old Spring Hill man was arrested Wednesday at an Internet sweepstakes cafe and charged with operating a gambling house and possession of gambling equipment.

Hernando County sheriff's deputies armed with a search warrant entered Win City Sweepstakes, 5130 Commercial Way, about 11 a.m. and arrested Carlos J. Cruz Alverio. The business is one of three that voluntarily closed in late September after authorities conducted investigations and found that the establishments' machines were using software to mask them and make them seem like legitimate forms of gaming devices.

Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Denise Moloney said further information regarding the gambling bust would be forthcoming Thursday.